THERE were five winners of the €5,000 Weatherbys ITBA National Hunt Fillies Scheme Bonus in June.

The scheme is open to all fillies registered for €200 before they race and is designed to encourage ownership of National Hunt mares. Bonuses are paid when an eligible mare wins a maiden bumper, maiden hurdle or maiden chase confined to females.

Payngo, a Tattersalls Ireland August Sale graduate, became the first June winner when taking a Tramore bumper for owner Gerard Mullins and trainer Mag Mullins.

Two days later, Penny Jane scooped a bonus for English owners Paul and Clare Rooney. Trained by Gordon Elliott, Penny Jane is a daughter of King’s Theatre out of prolific broodmare Shannon Rose. Penny Jane won again in Perth this week.

It’s not unusual for an owner-breeder to win a bonus and that’s what happened when Regal D’Argent registered a 20/1 success in a Wexford maiden hurdle in the colours of Mary and Brendan Fitzpatrick. Already a point-to-point winner, Regal D’Argent is trained by Colin Bowe.

Decision Time is another who rewarded the faith of her owner-breeder Liam Gleeson when she won her bumper in Downpatrick. The Gleeson family from Ardmore in Co Waterford are great supporters of the scheme and fillies in general. They won a bonus last year with Pride Of The Braid.

The final June bonus winner was Arbor Des Champs, who won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle by 19 lengths for owner Frank Doyle and trainer Emmet Mullins. The Irish-bred mare (by Robin Des Champs) won a first bonus for a bumper win last year.

There are 11 mares-only maiden races in July. The ITBA will be taking registrations for the 2018 bonus scheme shortly and breeders and owners are encouraged to ensure their fillies are eligible. Further information is available from the ITBA. Tel: (045) 877543.